Don’t be a “can’t do it” person…Be a “can do it” person…
Some people are just naturally wired to kill other people’s dreams. Others live in a world of caution and fear, never wanting to take a risk…always opting for the safest side of the street. Sometimes that’s not in an attempt to be negative, but just the way a person is wired…
I realize there is a place for the questioner…There are people inclined to find holes in an idea in an attempt to strengthen it (I use this tactic sometimes to challenge deeper, more critical thinking about an issue.)
I am not advocating running blindly…I’m not impressed when someone comes to me with an idea with no intent to research, collaborate with the team, set goals and objectives, or develop a plan to accomplish the idea…
I like common sense….
BUT…
I also know that life is full of risks….
I realize that in order to achieve anything of significance some chance for failure must be on the table…
Personally, I am far more motivated when I hear “You can do it” or “Give it a try” than “We’ve never done that before” or “I don’t know if that will work”.
If your tendency is to naturally be a skeptic or if you find yourself normally on the negative side of an issue, try taking the positive approach for a change…You may just discover you like it!
Are you more likely to be a naysayer or an encourager of risk?
I heard John Maxwell once say the three things Christians need to do to succeed.
1. Pray hard
2. Work hard
3. Take risks
I encourage everyone in this way. Some of the wildest dreams became reality because one refused to be discouraged and took a chance.
That's great. Gotta love when I line up with Maxwell on anything.
My one comment to this is that "Can do" must be tempered with reality; agreeing with your statement on not running blindly. A good example is my boss. He is very talented and knowledgeable. But he has a "can do" attitude that can sometimes get us in trouble. I'm an IT guy and he sometimes comes to me with let's do this and let's do it now. His request is valid and the implementation of whatever it is will probably be of benefit. But he many times fails to fully understand the ramifications of the process of getting from here to there; which is why he has me :). If I just went along and said "great idea, let's do it, that specific piece of the world would crumble down around us and cleaning up the mess would be horrible.
So I am usually the governor on his spinning out of control. I point out the pitfalls and the i's that have to be dotted and the t's that have to be crossed before we can proceed. We still get there, but in a more orderly and usable fashion. It would be like you saying… Yes I see a need in Sierra Leone… let's do it and you just did. But when you arrive at the airport you have no immunizations, no passport and no ticket.
I agree. Good add